title: Topical niacin cream-assisted 595-nm pulsed-dye laser treatment for facial flushing: retrospective analysis of 25 Korean patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Flushing is defined clinically as a transient reddening of the face and other areas. Due to the transient nature of flushing, a patient may not show signs of flushing during laser treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 595-nm pulsed-dye laser treatment of flushing or erythema after provocation of flushing by topical niacin cream.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed a total of 25 Korean patients with facial flushing who were treated with three sessions of 595-nm pulsed-dye laser after the application of topical niacin cream.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up results revealed that 12 of the 25 patients demonstrated marked (51-75%) clinical improvement of baseline facial erythema. Eight patients had moderate (26-50%) improvement and three demonstrated near total (≥ 75%) improvement. Two patients showed minimal to no (0-25%) improvement. We observed that the reactivity to topical niacin cream was markedly reduced in 64% of our patients after 595-nm pulsed-dye laser treatments. Minimal post-therapy facial oedema was noted in most of the patients, which usually resolved spontaneously within 2 days. Pronounced facial swelling was observed in four patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that 595-nm pulsed-dye laser treatment after provocation of flushing by topical niacin cream may provide a new treatment algorithm for facial flushing in Asians.
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Star Skin & Laser Clinic, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005483:Flushing / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D009525:Niacin